All About Mechanical Drafters
Career Description Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
List of Mechanical Drafter Job Duties
- Develop detailed design drawings and specifications for mechanical equipment, dies, tools, and controls, using computer-assisted drafting (CAD) equipment.
- Coordinate with and consult other workers to design, lay out, or detail components and systems and to resolve design or other problems.
- Lay out, draw, and reproduce illustrations for reference manuals and technical publications to describe operation and maintenance of mechanical systems.
- Lay out and draw schematic, orthographic, or angle views to depict functional relationships of components, assemblies, systems, and machines.
- Position instructions and comments onto drawings.
- Review and analyze specifications, sketches, drawings, ideas, and related data to assess factors affecting component designs and the procedures and instructions to be followed.
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Mechanical Drafter Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Mechanical Drafters say are important on the job.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Mathematics: Using mathematics to solve problems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Mechanical Detailer
- Tool Design Drafter
- Project Designer
- Mechanical Designer
- Furniture Detailer
Job Demand for Mechanical Drafters
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 64,800 jobs in the United States for Mechanical Drafter. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 3,400 new jobs for Mechanical Drafter by 2026. There will be an estimated 5,900 positions for Mechanical Drafter per year.
The states with the most job growth for Mechanical Drafter are Nevada, Connecticut, and Wyoming. Watch out if you plan on working in Washington, Vermont, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Mechanical Drafter
The salary for Mechanical Drafters ranges between about $35,720 and $88,280 a year.
Mechanical Drafters who work in Washington, New Mexico, or New Jersey, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Mechanical Drafters in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $56,960 |
| Alaska | $72,880 |
| Arizona | $65,040 |
| Arkansas | $50,430 |
| California | $65,710 |
| Colorado | $63,450 |
| Connecticut | $66,590 |
| Delaware | $58,360 |
| District of Columbia | $50,500 |
| Florida | $54,610 |
| Georgia | $53,410 |
| Hawaii | $59,450 |
| Idaho | $48,430 |
| Illinois | $56,210 |
| Indiana | $51,610 |
| Iowa | $55,180 |
| Kansas | $50,210 |
| Kentucky | $53,950 |
| Louisiana | $66,150 |
| Maine | $56,880 |
| Maryland | $65,420 |
| Massachusetts | $57,500 |
| Michigan | $58,070 |
| Minnesota | $59,360 |
| Mississippi | $59,870 |
| Missouri | $54,470 |
| Montana | $53,230 |
| Nebraska | $50,100 |
| Nevada | $49,210 |
| New Hampshire | $58,350 |
| New Jersey | $68,200 |
| New Mexico | $69,930 |
| New York | $57,780 |
| North Carolina | $53,810 |
| North Dakota | $51,970 |
| Ohio | $53,690 |
| Oklahoma | $59,930 |
| Oregon | $57,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,280 |
| Rhode Island | $52,160 |
| South Carolina | $60,180 |
| South Dakota | $41,450 |
| Tennessee | $60,890 |
| Texas | $61,770 |
| Utah | $60,450 |
| Vermont | $53,600 |
| Virginia | $59,000 |
| Washington | $81,180 |
| West Virginia | $51,180 |
| Wisconsin | $52,390 |
| Wyoming | $54,650 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Mechanical Drafters
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Mechanical Drafters:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Access
- SAP
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Extensible markup language XML
- Dassault Systemes CATIA
- Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
- Bentley Microstation
- PTC Creo Parametric
- Autodesk Revit
- Trimble SketchUp Pro
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Computer aided design and drafting software CADD
- Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
- Document management system software
- Adobe Systems Adobe After Effects
How to Become a Mechanical Drafter
Are there Mechanical Drafters education requirements?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Who Employs Mechanical Drafters?
Below are examples of industries where Mechanical Drafters work:
References:
Image Credit: Pixabay via CC0 License
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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